H.R. No. 70
R E S O L U T I O N
1-1 WHEREAS, The Texas House of Representatives is proud to
1-2 honor Rigdon Edwards for his outstanding contributions to the
1-3 petroleum marketing industry; and
1-4 WHEREAS, Mr. Edwards was born in Duncan, Oklahoma, on
1-5 February 6, 1910, and as a young man displayed the resourcefulness
1-6 and perseverance that would characterize his future endeavors when
1-7 he offered his milk cow as collateral for a bank loan to attend
1-8 college; and
1-9 WHEREAS, A popular student at McMurry University in Abilene
1-10 where he was president of his senior class and lettered in
1-11 football, Mr. Edwards has since been honored for his numerous
1-12 efforts in behalf of the university when he was named a
1-13 Distinguished Alumnus, recognized with an honorary doctor of law
1-14 degree, and, most recently, inducted into the institution's
1-15 Athletic Hall of Honor; and
1-16 WHEREAS, Following his graduation in 1931, this remarkable
1-17 gentleman embarked on a highly successful career in the petroleum
1-18 industry after attending a dealer training school sponsored by the
1-19 Magnolia Petroleum Company, which is now the Mobil Oil Company; and
1-20 WHEREAS, In the ensuing years, Mr. Edwards was recognized as
1-21 a talented and industrious employee and was assigned increasingly
1-22 challenging responsibilities in the petroleum merchandising field;
1-23 in 1937, he was made a commissioned agent in Sweetwater, an
1-24 important distribution point in the Mobil Oil network; and
2-1 WHEREAS, His position was considered so essential that the
2-2 company was instructed to request a deferment for him from military
2-3 service during World War II; determined to serve his country, this
2-4 staunch patriot and accomplished pilot enlisted in the Army Air
2-5 Corps Reserves and trained Women Air Force Service Pilots (WASPs)
2-6 for the war effort at Avenger Field in Sweetwater while continuing
2-7 to perform his duties as an agent with the help of his beloved
2-8 wife, the late Mary Emma Edwards, who filled in for him during his
2-9 absences; and
2-10 WHEREAS, Well regarded by his peers, he continued to rise in
2-11 esteem at Mobil, becoming a jobber in 1959; he was elected
2-12 president of the Texas Oil Marketers Association (TOMA), formerly
2-13 the Texas Oil Jobbers Association, in 1966, and he provided
2-14 exemplary leadership during his tenure at the helm of this
2-15 prominent organization; and
2-16 WHEREAS, This civic-minded individual is active in his
2-17 community as a member of many worthwhile organizations as well;
2-18 named the 1993 E. K. Bennett Award recipient by the Texas Oil
2-19 Marketers Association, he was honored by the organization for the
2-20 outstanding leadership he has consistently provided to TOMA, the
2-21 petroleum marketing industry, and his community; and
2-22 WHEREAS, Having retired in 1972, Mr. Edwards pursues many
2-23 hobbies and especially enjoys spending time with his large and
2-24 close-knit family, which consists of his daughters and sons-in-law,
2-25 Sydney and Wendell Kent and Sandra and Richard Spears, and his six
2-26 grandchildren and five great-grandchildren; and
2-27 WHEREAS, A man of great enthusiasm, determination, and wit,
3-1 Mr. Edwards credits his parents with instilling in him a strong
3-2 work ethic and is himself guided by a personal philosophy of
3-3 individual accomplishment while helping others when opportunities
3-4 arise; beloved and admired by his many friends, relatives, and
3-5 colleagues, he is indeed deserving of high praise for his many
3-6 significant achievements; now, therefore, be it
3-7 RESOLVED, That the House of Representatives of the 74th Texas
3-8 Legislature hereby commend Rigdon Edwards for his outstanding
3-9 contributions to the state's petroleum marketing industry and the
3-10 citizens of Sweetwater; and, be it further
3-11 RESOLVED, That an official copy of this resolution be
3-12 prepared for Mr. Edwards as an expression of high regard by the
3-13 Texas House of Representatives.